by R J Sorrento
Fernando scrolled through his phone and clicked on Cal’s name. There was a strong possibility he wouldn’t answer given how their previous conversation had gone. Fernando’s palms were sweating in his gloves, hoping Cal would not answer.
* * *
Cal was at a florist a few blocks from Jin’s apartment when his phone rang. He had been deciding between a bamboo plant or Peace Lily. He paused to pull his phone out and Fernando’s name flashed on the screen. Cal tapped the phone in an instant to accept the call, worried that he needed help.
“Hello? Fernando?” Cal stepped out of the florist for some privacy.
“Hi, Cal.”
“Is everything all right? I mean, I’m glad you called.”
“Everything is fine,” Fernando’s voice was gentle and even. “Wanted to check on you.”
Cal smiled, ignoring the hustle and bustle on the street. Nothing else seemed to matter as he spoke to Fernando. It was a relief that he was no longer angry with him for leaving.
“I’m better. Now that I’m talking to you,” Cal said without thinking it through. He needed to stop encouraging Fernando. He was on his way to his boyfriend’s apartment for a romantic dinner. Cal felt selfish for wanting to have them both in his life.
“Is that so?”
Cal could almost see that mischievous smile through the phone. His heart beat a little faster. “I’m sorry I left so quickly. I got-”
“No, es que…I hated to see you go,” Fernando interrupted. “And-”
Fernando sighed.
“Lo siento, Cal. I have to train the new group.”
“Oh. It was good to talk to-”
Fernando ended the call. Cal was left hanging, phone pressed to his ear. The noise and crowds came into focus. At least Fernando was safe and not angry with him, but it had been a strange phone call.
He walked back into the florist shop. He was leaning toward the Peace Lily, a good offering from a horrible boyfriend.
* * *
In the tech room, Fernando set down his phone.
“Great work, Funesto. You can be charming when necessary.” Dr. Almighty handed over a sticky note with the address of Cal’s location. “Better hurry.”
Fernando motioned to Margo to follow him as they left the room.
Dr. Almighty paused a moment, thinking back on how Fernando’s face lit up when he spoke to Cal on the phone. Was Fernando fond of him? He had never been friendly with any of the past recruits and barely seemed to tolerate his sister most of the time. But curiosity would have to wait. He had a mission to complete. He took his phone out of his lab coat pocket. “Rita?”
“Yes?”
“He’s in Lincoln Park. Florist on Fullerton Avenue.”
“How long do you think he’ll stay in the area? That’s way farther north from my location.”
“Get moving, Rita.” Ted was more annoyed with himself than Rita.
He’d thought he would have to trace the call, and he quickly realized he didn’t know how. Fortunately, Cal had checked in to the florist on social media. Such a trustworthy young man. He must really think he’s been left alone.
“I imagine he’ll be in the area long enough for you to find him. He stands out in a crowd.”
“I’ll bring him to you. I promise.” Rita ended the call.
* * *
After a short ride on the L from Michigan Avenue, Rita made it to the north side of the city. She headed down the steps from the elevated track. Rita had no time to waste wandering the streets for a florist, so she hailed a cab. The driver was fast, cutting off cars and changing lanes every two minutes. She peeked through the grimy window for any sign of the tall blond on the way.
“Stop here! This is the place.” She tossed cash through the window after stepping out. The taxi sped off and Rita smiled as she viewed the florist shop. Even if Cal wasn’t inside, he couldn’t be too far away. She was ready to make her first move.
Rita peered into the large glass windows. A few elderly women were in line, but there was no sign of Cal. She stomped her foot and scanned the crowd of people enjoying their evening, despite the humidity.
She felt like a failure already, and the mission had only begun. Disappointing Dr. Almighty was not an option. The man who had saved her life needed her. Capturing Cal was the least she could do. If she could do it alone, without Fernando and Margo to overshadow her, even better.
* * *
Fernando drove like a maniac through the winding streets of Lincoln Park, running red lights and cutting around cars while going well over the speed limit. They were in his way.
“You’ll get us both killed!” Margo screeched, gripping the door. “Slow down.”
Fernando ignored his sister. He didn’t trust Dr. Almighty - not that he ever had much faith in the man who had kidnapped him and altered his body. But Rita never ran late; she was always early for everything. Fernando knew she would be early to find Cal, too.
They turned onto Fullerton. Margo made the sign of the cross, grateful that they had arrived unharmed, while Fernando slowed his speed to scan the sidewalks for Cal and Rita.
“Mierda.” Fernando cursed. “I knew it.”
“What?” Margo craned her neck to peer through Fernando’s window.
“Princess Freeze is already here.” Fernando pointed to where she was on the hunt for Cal. He searched for a spot to park, which proved more difficult than navigating city traffic. Margo cursed under her breath, which made him snicker. They had their quarrels as siblings, but shared a mutual dislike for Rita.
Fernando was determined to find Cal before Rita did, even if it meant dinging the BMW to create his own parking space.
* * *
Cal rushed to Jin’s apartment. Thirty minutes late. He’d spent more time in the florist than planned, but Jin loved houseplants in his apartment so Cal hoped it would be a thoughtful reason for tardiness. Could he hover instead of walk? Speed things up? Not the brightest idea; he had to keep a low profile, be cautious. For Jin’s protection.
Cal made it to Jin’s building and was ready to hit the buzzer when the tapping of footsteps close behind reached him.
“Captain Stellar!” a woman’s voice called out. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
Cal froze, holding his breath. He had led one of Dr. Almighty’s followers directly to Jin’s place, despite his efforts to protect him. He turned toward the unfamiliar and enthusiastic voice. “I think you have me mistaken for someone else.”
Rita offered a small smile and giggled. “Cal Bolden?”
A chill shivered down his back. “How do you know who I am?”
“Dr. Almighty gave you a precious gift. Not one but three special powers.” She took a step closer to him. “When he found me, I was nothing. A piece of shit taking up space on a park bench.”
Cal stood firm, readying his body for flight at any moment. Maybe Jin would see him use his powers tonight.
“And now I’m Princess Freeze, grateful for my gift. But you…” She spat on the cracked sidewalk. “You don’t appreciate what you have.”
“I didn’t appreciate being drugged and abducted.” Cal clenched his jaw. Why should he feel grateful to a man who altered his body and his life against his will? Maybe Rita had wanted a new life, but Cal had been doing well enough.
“Dr. Almighty is a genius and, yes, his methods are unconventional. But you gotta bend the rules if you want to change the world.”
“I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who’d rather be in my shoes. Why didn’t he choose one of them?” Cal balled his right hand into a fist. “Why did it have to be me?”
“Because he never makes mistakes. You’re special.” Rita gave her sweetest grin.
Cal caught sight of her yellowed teeth, and now he understood her earlier efforts to hide them. “What do you want from me?”
“Join me. Come back to Almighty Labs.” Rita reached out her hand toward him.
“I’ll tell you what I already told him: I’ll n
ever work for you,” Cal snarled. His deep voice had returned and he widened his stance.
“Why don’t you trust in Dr. Almighty? He can be your salvation!” Rita’s gleeful tone had transformed into a passionate shout.
Cal didn’t know what to expect next from her, which scared him, but he was willing to fight her off to protect Jin. He wouldn’t let her get past the front door.
Rita curled her hand into a fist and pulled back her arm as if throwing a pitch.
“Cal, watch out!” Fernando’s voice boomed down the street.
His eyes widened to see Fernando so soon after the phone call.
“Keep out of this, Funesto. He’s mine.” Rita turned toward him and released her hand, creating a large block of ice around Fernando’s entire body.
Cal’s jaw dropped, horrified by Rita’s swift attack.
“Zorra!” Margo sprinted and flew into the air, knocking Rita to the ground with a kick of her feet.
“You shouldn’t have done that, Magenta,” Rita snarled as she reached up. She shot ice from her fingers to trap Margo’s feet, freezing her to the ground. “Try to fly your way out of this one.” She giggled as Margo struggled to break free from the ice imprisoning her feet.
“Leave them alone! Your fight’s with me.” Cal pounded a fist into his hand. Attacking Fernando and Margo may have seemed like a good plan for Rita, but it only fed the flames of anger in Cal’s chest, leaving him no choice but to fight.
He noticed a mother and her son had stopped on the sidewalk near them, their eyes wide. The little boy pointed to Fernando trapped in the jagged block of ice, his small finger shaking with fear.
“Get out of here!” Margo warned, waving her arms, as she stood frozen to the cracked sidewalk.
“This might motivate you.” Rita grabbed the young boy away from his mother before they could run. The boy struggled to pull away from her, crying as she tightened her grip around his small body.
The woman screamed in horror as she reached for her son. “Let him go!”
“Come back with me, or else.” Rita slid her arm around the boy’s neck to still him. She held her other hand in the air, ready to release her ice.
Cal balled his hands into fists. He glanced at the boy’s weeping mother, the woman paralyzed by shock. “I got this.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t hit a girl would you?” Rita teased as she held the shivering boy closer, tears and snot making a mess of his chubby face.
“Not gonna hit you.” Cal grabbed the Peace Lily and threw it at Rita’s head. She ducked as the pot shattered onto sidewalk, loosening her grip on the boy. Cal jumped to yank the boy away. He blocked the boy with his arms, protecting him against Rita’s counterattack as shards of ice sliced his skin. Cal ignored the pain and the blood that sprayed from his fresh wounds. With a gentle push, he returned the boy to his mother’s embrace. “Get out of here,” Cal choked.
As soon as the boy was clear, Cal shot up into the air, zooming past Jin’s window. Rita held out her hands and shot blades of ice as he flew in her direction. The ice tore through his t-shirt and jeans, cutting his skin. Cal knew he had no time to focus on the pain. On his way down, he kicked Rita in the stomach, holding back back his strength so he wouldn’t kill her.
Her body smashed into the back of a nearby car, setting off its alarm. Cal knelt down to check her. She was still breathing but knocked out.
He glanced up and saw Margo was closest to him. He ran to her and in two rapid movements, he punched the ice blocks off her feet. The cold hardness cracked against his knuckles.
“Thank you, Captain.” She shivered as she bent forward to take off her wet shoes and rubbed her feet, desperate for warmth.
Cal raced to Fernando. With all his strength, he punched into the block of ice. His hand swelled almost instantly from the punch, blue bruises expanding over his skin. He switched to his feet to kick the ice, continuing to pound at it until he could break through. After ten forceful kicks, the ice shattered into pieces and flew past Cal’s determined face. Fernando was free.
He fell to his knees, a few inches from Cal’s feet, his entire body shaking from the cold. “Thank you,” Fernando whispered. “Saved me again.”
Cal knelt beside Fernando. “You warned me.”
Fernando tried to smile, but his teeth chattered too much. Cal wished he could melt the ice that still clung to his body. He sat to sling his arm around Fernando and pulled him close to warm his freezing body.
“You’re hurt.” Fernando motioned to the cuts on Cal’s chiseled arms, straight red lines carved in many directions on the skin revealed by rips in his t-shirt.
“I’ll be better soon,” Cal reassured him. As the adrenaline coursed through him, he barely noticed the stinging cuts and gashes on his arms and chest that continued to bleed.
Fernando reached over and brushed Cal’s messy hair away from his eyes. “I know you have a boyfriend, but I can’t help myself.” He pressed a kiss to Cal’s lower lip.
Fernando’s lips were cold, but Cal’s heart raced because of Fernando, not from the icy contact. Cal broke the kiss quickly, even though it pained him to stop. “Fernando, I-”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
Cal felt the warmth returning to Fernando’s freezing body. He gave a quick kiss to Fernando’s jaw, frigid against his lips. “I’m on my way to see my boyfriend now. It isn’t fair to either of you.”
Fernando looked down. “You need to be careful. Dr. Almighty is hunting you.”
Cal shook his head. He had been naïve to think Ted would give him time. Let him carry on with his ordinary life.
“Give me your phone.” Fernando sat up, moving away from Cal once he had the device. “I’m sorry.” He crushed it under his foot with one stomp of his black boot.
“Now I need another phone,” Cal groaned, putting his head in his hands.
“Stick with burners for now and stay off social media,” Fernando advised. “Go home. Make sure your mom is safe. Does he know where you live?”
A wave of nausea hit Cal. It had never occurred to him his mother would be in danger.
“I doubt he sent anyone to your home today,” Fernando added, likely seeing the panic on Cal’s face. “The goal was to track you for capture.”
Cal exhaled. “I should go home all the same. Poor Jin. He was making Tonkatsu ramen tonight. Not that I’m dressed for dinner anymore.” He glanced at what remained of his t-shirt.
Cal stood and offered Fernando a hand to help him on his feet. He felt Fernando reach for him, soft leather gloves wrapped around his face. The sudden touch of his lips as Fernando leaned in made Cal’s heart race. Cal felt dizzy with fear and desire, hoping this wasn’t Fernando’s way of saying goodbye.
He lifted their bodies in the air without thinking. They hovered, circling slowly as Cal deepened the kiss. Noticing Fernando’s weight in his arms, Cal opened his eyes to see they were a few inches above the sidewalk. Cal took care to land them gently as their lips parted.
“My heart is in your hands, Cal. It no longer belongs to me.” Fernando’s voice was soft, his eyes forlorn.
Cal was silent, lost in the dizzy aftermath of the kiss and the fear of what was to come with Dr. Almighty. He didn’t notice that Jin had been standing at the window. Had no idea that his boyfriend had watched his fight with Rita and his kiss with Fernando. Cal gazed at Fernando one last time before turning to leave for home.
Chapter 21
After watching Cal drive away, Margo helped Fernando carry Rita to their car. She was heavier than she looked, and their chilled bodies struggled with each step.
“I don’t understand why we have to bring her back,” Margo grunted as she slid her onto the back seat as carefully as she could. Her feet were burning as the numbness from Rita’s ice wore off.
“We need to keep the illusion that the three of us are working together.” Fernando’s body shivered as his own temperature returned to normal.
Margo slammed the door and wa
lked around the car to hop in the front passenger seat. “Why? Dr. Almighty sent Rita to capture Cal. He doesn’t trust us anymore.”
“We can’t let Ted think he blindsided us. He can’t find out we let his precious Captain Stellar get away.”
Margo wiggled her toes as she felt them come back to life.
“We can’t break ties with Ted yet,” Fernando continued. “If we do, no more inside information. And then we can’t help Cal.” He started the car.
Margo rolled her eyes. Everything her brother did was for Cal, no matter what the cost. “I trust you.” She glanced at him. “Even with your head in the clouds.”
“Stop,” Fernando snapped. He had no interest in his sister’s opinion of his feelings for Cal. She couldn’t begin to understand how much Cal meant to him.
“How do we keep Rita quiet? She’ll tell him we thwarted her attack.” Margo turned to check if she was still unconscious. Judging by Rita’s uncomfortable position in the back seat, she was still knocked out.
“Don’t you worry, hermanita. I have my ways.” Fernando narrowed his eyes as he merged onto the expressway. He drove at a more reasonable pace this time, in no hurry to face Ted empty-handed.
Margo felt warmth return to her feet slowly. She checked on her brother, his focus never wavering as he drove in silence. Even after living together the past ten years, he could still surprise her. She had never seen him act as gentle as he had with Cal. He had always been rough around the edges with a short temper, even before his destructive hands. Cal brought out the best in her brother.
She struggled to be happy for Fernando. It broke her heart that he had found love despite his hands while she ached with loneliness. What would it feel like to have someone look at her the way Cal gazed at her brother? Such longing and admiration.
“We’re here.” Fernando parked the car with a sudden jerk, hoping to wake Rita.
“Where am I?” Rita groaned from the backseat, rubbing her eyes.
Fernando grinned upon hearing Rita wake. Time for a chat. “Margo, give me a moment alone with the princess.”
“What are you going to do?” Margo gulped. To the casual observer, Fernando looked calm. But Margo recognized the blind rage and determination in his eyes, and when he had that look there was no stopping him.